Have you joined the embroidery craze? It’s blowing up Instagram, and no wonder—it’s inexpensive to start, it’s easy to learn, and you can take it anywhere. Fabric, embroidery thread, and scissors are all you need!
A Little Something author Roseann Kermes has loved wool, appliqué, and embroidery ever since childhood when her mother became a 4-H leader. She’s learned lots of tricks for making sewing simpler over the years, and today we get to share one of those tips with you!
Roseann stopped by our office and showed us how she transfers letters to fabric in preparation for embroidery. This is a super-slick trick, tribe—check it out:
Viewing this post in email? Click here to view the video.
Could it really be that simple? Yes, it could!
You’ll find lots of “little” embroidery and appliqué tips in Roseann’s book A Little Something, along with 16 pretty projects that are perfect for celebrating spring:
Spring Bouquet Bag
Strawberry Sewing Trio
Hospitality Hanger
Ring in spring a “little” early this year—pick up A Little Something at ShopMartingale.com and you can instantly download the eBook for free.
What’s your embroidery life like?
- I carry my embroidery wherever I go.
- I love to sit at home and enjoy every stitch.
- I don’t have an embroidery life, but I think I might need one!
Tell us in the comments!
I carry mine everywhere!
—Kaye Walker on February 7, 2018I embroider whenever and wherever time allows. We have started a Lunch Hour Embroidery Program at the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Librarythat was inspired by the book Lunch Hour Embroidery. Our first get together is today.
What a wonderful idea to start a lunch-hour program, love it, Betty – I hope you all have fun! –Jenny
—Betty Thiel on February 7, 2018I do my stitching throughout the day and in the evening. Doing embroidery (or hand appliqué) calms me.
—April Lopez on February 7, 2018What a great idea on transferring letters. Thanks!
—Judy on February 7, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life, but I need one!
Love all of these happy designs!
Thanks for the video tip!
—Jetta on February 7, 2018I love to sit at home and enjoy every stitch. I am a beginner but I am hooked. Love all the wool kits that there are out there!! I have a stash!
—Marg on February 7, 2018I love to embroider. I usually have a project in process. I like to incorporate embroidery into my quilts.
—Kim Zeigler on February 7, 2018I like to add a little embroidery to as many of my quilt projects as possible – even if it is just one word. I love all of Roseann’s projects, especially the wool projects. She’s very inspiring. And, I really like the quilt pattern she designed that’s featured in the recent American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. This is a perfect quilt for a college boy or girl.
—Shasha on February 7, 2018I have been embroidering for almost 45 years! My neighbor taught me all kinds of stitches with crewel threads when I was 12. I have used embroidery on clothes, pillows, little girls dresses, and even on jeans. So thankful she took the time to teach me.
—Robin in New Jersey on February 7, 2018I have been embroidering for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I remember everyone having a project in hand as we sat and watched TV. When the kids were small, I almost always had a project in my bag to work on during football/cheerleading/choir practices. Now I tend to work on much larger projects – bedspread anyone – that take longer and are not as portable. But I still always have a project or three in my work basket. The problem is there is so much I want to do and just not enough time to do it!
—Lisa Brown on February 7, 2018I keep seeing all these embroidery projects, and I keep thinking I would like to have some hand-work to have when we’re sitting together in the evening. Thank you for sending such inspiring project ideas.
—Carol Johnson on February 7, 2018I love to embroider, but I don’t do it enough. I also do machine embroidery and appliqué.
—Jill Hicks on February 7, 2018No tengo una vida de bordado, pero creo que podría necesitar una. Y la necesito después de haber visto este libro tan precioso. Quiero empezar a bordar. Saludos.
Translation: I do not have an embroidery life, but I think I might need one. And I need it after having seen this precious book. I want to start embroidering. Greetings.
—Margarita on February 7, 2018I love to do hand embroidery in the evening. It helps me to relax. I always try to have a project ready to take with me on vacation.
—Sandy Trachsel on February 7, 2018I need to have an embroidery life. I am not good with embroidery but so envy those that do….I would love to become good at the blanket stitch without having to tear out more than I get done. I have COD and it impacts all of my sewing…
—Barbara Dolan on February 7, 2018This would be a great help to own this book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I am almost ready to start my first wool embroidery quilt. I have every thing I need and am excited to get going. I have been doing regular embroidery since I was in jr. high.
—Marsha Nelson on February 7, 2018I like to sit at home and stitch in the evenings. I’m uncomfortable having strangers look at what I am working on as my projects are for my own pleasure and not good enough for exhibition.
—Sandy May on February 7, 2018I love to sit at home and stitch especially in the evenings. Sometimes I take it out on the porch swing and enjoy the fresh air. But I also sometimes take it with me when I’m traveling.
—Rilla Burnham on February 7, 2018I enjoy embroidery in the evenings or at other times with friends while we chat. Thanks for the great tip for transferring letters onto fabric.
—Eileen Heinze on February 7, 2018Not currently doing any embroidery, but am looking forward to doing some embeadery soon. Would like to do some crazy quilt patches including beads and embroidery.
—Linda Ahn on February 7, 2018I carry my embroidery every where I go. I look forward to having time daily to do my embroidery
—Kim Conner on February 7, 2018Genius, so simple. I will try this tommorrow.
—Liz Dyer on February 7, 2018I love to sit at home and enjoy every stitch, but it has been a very long time since I have embroidered a piece. The projects pictured are very inspiring.
—Dianna Walker on February 7, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life, but will like to learn simple embroidery.
—Diana Venable on February 7, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life right now, but will like to learn some simple embroidery.
—Diana Venable on February 7, 2018Don’t have an embroidery life, but after seeing the video I think I would like to take it up again. Also, the books projects are really cute.
—Vickie Keith on February 7, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life, but I think I might need one! I want to take something like this for when I am waiting at appointments. thanks for the chance to win!
—Marilyn S on February 7, 2018Love the idea.
—Amy kolan on February 8, 2018I like to sit at home and enjoy every little stitch, but I do take it with me once in a while.
—Kris on February 8, 2018My embroidery goes with me when I leave the house. It makes the time pass quickly while you are waiting for appointments.
—connie b on February 8, 2018The book has such fun looking projects. Always on the lookout for things to make as gifts for family and friends.
I enjoy stitching while waiting for my grand daughters nap, and any other time I can pick it up! Thank you!
—Kim Marie Quade on February 8, 2018Keep wanting to branch out into embroidery. Have been doing cross stitch lately.
—Sylvia on February 9, 2018I ❤️ to stitch at home and on occasion take a project along with me. I do need good lighting, and it’s not always available. What a beautiful book❣️Thanks for the chance to win this one.
—Karen on February 9, 2018I came late to sewing and handwork so I do struggle a bit. Every little hint helps! Thanks for this one!
—Welton Renee on February 9, 2018I love to embroider and handquilt in the evenings.
—Cheri B on February 9, 2018I use to embroider, but not much in the last few years.
—Judy B on February 9, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life, but i think I might need one. I actually do embroider now and then for a particular project and really enjoy it. Then it gets put away for a long while. Maybe I need the book to get me going on a regular basis. Such cute projects.
—Sue on February 9, 2018I don’t have an embroidery life, but I think I might need one! I cross stitch often but haven’t embroidered in years.
—debby on February 9, 2018I carry my embroidery where-ever I go. What adorable projects!
—Debbie on February 9, 2018I love to embroider at home and enjoy every stitch. I also carry it with me often.
—Pearl on February 9, 2018I love to sit at home and enjoy every stitch. This book looks like sew much fun
—Renea on February 10, 2018I’m so glad to see you share the rubbing transfer method. I have been know to use it for entire patterns on cotton and linen fabrics as well when tracing would be a bit of a pain. I made an embroidery work carry bag (free tutorial on my blog), but to be honest, I prefer to work at home where I can spread out my threads and lose my needle several times in private.
—Allison Dey on February 11, 2018I have several kids in my neighborhood that i’ve taught to sew. I teach in a school now as well. These tips and products from Nancy are spot on!
—Elana Goldberg on February 11, 2018This book looks so interesting, that I would love to get back to more time to embroider especially with the yarns and threads.
—Alfreda R. on February 11, 2018I enjoy my embroidery and have been catching up on projects I hadn’t finished from before I married. Being a Nanny with after school care for 2 young boys and their female cousin – I do my embroidery while watching over their activities. It keeps my mind alert and I don’t become bored with just sitting and watching.
—Jenny Kavanagh on February 12, 2018I carry my embroidery everywhere I go–this looks like a great book
—irene indelicato on February 12, 2018I discovered a stain on a favorite shirt. To try and cover it, I embroidered a design over it. I now have birds, flowers, animals, all sorts of things on my spotty shirts. It’s colorful, fun and creative.
—Denise Cook on February 19, 2018